Medical data recording system

ABSTRACT

A device for recording information on CDRs or other recording media and printing file information for observing what is recorded thereon. The information may be medical images such as x-rays, cat scans, magnetic resonance images, or sonograms. The discs can have patient names and other information selected from information stored thereon, printed on the disc as well as logos for the hospital, service provider or trademarks. The discs can be automatically loaded into the recorder and printer. The fields of information or logos printed on the discs can be changed to suit the user. A database creates and updates a directory of patient files so the discs can be located and the images thereon viewed for each patient. The discs have software allowing the computer to view the images on the disc so that a personal computer not having imaging software can operate the disc.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser.No. 09/753,792, filed 3 Jan. 2001, entitled “Medical Data RecordingSystem”, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/205,751, filed 19 May 2000, entitled “Medical Image and DataRecordation System”, both of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to data storage and more particularly todetermining end of incoming data stream in order to create jobs forrecording and printing file information on a disc taken from theelectronically stored information on the disc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the past medical imaging such as x-rays were recorded on film anddigital images were stored on digital film using film laser printers,which is expensive, bulky and difficult to store. Also, the originaldigital data might have to be modified so it can be printed using alaser printer since most printers can not handle high resolution or highquality digital data. Digital image storage allows storage and retrievalof original digital data on discs and transmittal of images overcommunications systems such as the internet.

There are printers combined with CD recording devices for printing onthe disc that has just been recorded.

Medical imaging data is frequently manually stored on CD's and filed forlater use in doctor's offices, hospitals, clinics and other medicalfacilities. The medical images may be generated by x-rays, cat scans,magnetic resonance images, sonograms or other image generatingtechnologies.

Medical imaging data can be transmitted from one location to anotherover the internet or other communication system for recording the data.The filing and record keeping of the images thus received is a problem.It is a labor-intensive and error-prone task to gather information abouteach disc, write out labels and attach the labels to the discs, or writedirectly on the disc for storing and filing. It is very useful to havethe information contained on a disc printed on the disc for referenceand filing and for automatically creating a directory of the informationstored on all the discs recorded in an office.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention automatically scans data received for storage onthe disc and prints selected fields of information directly on the discsfor ease of file management. The invention also constantly updates adatabase having a directory of all patient records and the discs thepatient data is stored on. Although the invention is described in termsof storing medical imaging data any data imbedded with informationuseful for filing and label printing can be used with the invention.

The Medical Data Recording System hardware consists of three maincomponents: a computer server; a CD autoloader with printer; and apiracy prevention device. The software components are: DICOM®communication software; FilmX™ software for storing software for viewingthe images on the CDs, software for selecting image information to becopied to the CD and fields for printing on the discs; software forcreating and updating a database of patient information and autoloadercontrol software for the CDR and printer; and security device driversoftware.

The computer server communicates with other medical devices on thenetwork using the DICOM® protocol. It receives medical images (patientstudies) from other devices, processes the images and burns eachpatient's images on one or more CDRs along with medical image viewingsoftware and other files as defined by the DICOM® protocol as well asfiles containing printed label definition and graphics files, filescontaining patient and study demographics, and necessary system files tomake the CD autorun and autoload. Once a CDR has been burnt, informationregarding the contents of the CDR and other graphics (company logo,legal notices, etc) is then printed directly on the CDR using theprinter attached to the autoloader. Optionally, the system will createback up copies of the medical images it has received by burning them onCDR at configured days of the week and time. Each back up CDR willcontain as many patients' images as possible to maximize disc spaceusage. Each backup disc is assigned a serial number which is printed onit. The patient and study demographics of the backed up data along withthe corresponding backup disc serial number is stored in a databasewhere they can queried.

Additional advantages and features of the invention will be set forth inpart in the description which follows, and in part, will become apparentto those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may belearned by practice of the invention.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to print information from selectedfields of data saved on a disc onto the disc for visual recognition suchthat the discs can be properly stored in files.

It is an object of the invention to reduce clerical time and reduceerrors by having discs printed with information fields from files storedon the discs.

It is an object of the invention to automatically load discs forinformation storage.

It is an object of the invention to automatically stop recording whenthe information stream has stopped and load a new disc for the nextpatient.

It is an object of the invention to print trademarks, service marks andlogos on the discs.

It is an object of the invention to print selectable fields ofinformation on the discs.

It is an object of the invention to back up files at specified timeintervals.

It is an object of the invention to get as many images as possible ontoone CDR.

It is an object of the invention to conveniently store medical imagedata on CD's rather than on film.

It is an object of the invention to be able to use a computer display toview medical images stored on CD's.

It is an object of the invention to preserve medical images for longperiods of time.

It is an object of the invention to create patient files withdirectories and subdirectories from image data streams.

It is an object of the invention to divide data streams into separatefiles.

It is an object of the invention to automatically create and update filedatabases to locate patient information on the discs.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic of the system using the data recording system.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the software steps used in the computerfor receiving files from the network and storing them on the computer.

FIG. 3 shows the routine for determining the data for jobs from incomingfiles.

FIG. 4 shows the routine for processing jobs in queue.

FIG. 5 shows the routine for checking for end of jobs.

FIG. 6 shows the routine for the backup process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the invention. A medical imaging device10 such as an x-ray, cat scan, magnetic resonance imaging, sonogram orother device which generates information for storage on a disc orgenerates images of a patient and either transmits it or stores it forlater transmittal through a communication network 20 such as theinternet to a computer 30. The computer 30 can be used to selectinformation to be stored by the compact disc writer 40 on compact discs,CDs, 42 and can select what information is to be printed by printer 44on discs 42. Although CDs 42 are shown, any recording medium may be usedfor storage of information. The blank compact discs 42 are stacked in aninput CD stack 43 waiting to be recorded. The CD autoloader 46 selectsCDs 42 from the top of the input CD stack 43 to be recorded on andplaces the CDs 42 into the recorder 40. When the CD 42 has informationstored on it, it is moved by the CD autoloader 46 to the printer 44where selected information and logos or other graphics are printed onthe CD 42 so that the users have a written record on the disc of theinformation stored thereon and logos identifying the producer of thedisc or other information. The CDs 42 are then removed from the printer44 by CD autoloader 46 and placed in the CD output tray 45. The CDs 42can then be placed in patient files.

The software for running the invention performs several tasks. There issecurity software communicating to an attached piracy preventionsecurity device that keeps track of how many CDs are being recorded andwhat product option are active. There is software to run the autoloadingfunctions of the CD autoloader 46 for recording and moving discs 42. Thesoftware also can be programmed to select the fields of information tobe printed on the discs and for printing logos or other graphics orinformation on the discs. The software also copies instructions foroperating the imaging onto the disc so that a computer without imagingsoftware loaded in it can view the images on the discs.

Although many different software programs can be used to accomplish thegoals set out above the following shows one method of securing imageinformation for later viewing and recording it on discs with labelsprinted thereon. The software described herein is called FilmX™ softwareby the applicant.

FilmX™ software is used to receive data in the computer 30 from thecommunication network 20. The software incorporates DICOM® networkconnectivity software 51 such as WinSCP32.exe which is currently astandard digital imaging protocol used in the industry to receive thedigital imaging data from the imaging device 10. The imaging data isreceived in the computer 30 by use of network connectivity software 51using “winSCP32.exe” software available from ETIAM Corporation; Rennes,France. This program is a Storage Service Class Provider using theDICOM® protocol. The computer 30 receives DICOM® images that are sent toit and places them in the Incoming (“D:.backslash.Incoming”) directory52. The files are named: <Storage SOP Class>.<SOP Instance UID>.dcmwhere <Storage SOP Class> is the SOP class of the image and <SOPInstance UID> is the image UID (Unique Identifier).

There are multiple timers defined with in FilmX.exe. Timer.sub.--1 60 isresponsible for checking for incoming new files 61 in Incoming Directory52. If new files are received they are stored as a separate file in atemporary directory Temp Directory 63. Timer.sub.--1 60 is programmed tocheck if an end-of-patient-data timeout (MaxTime) 65 has occurred. Thevalue for Timer.sub.--1 60 is defined in the FilmX.ini file and is henceuser configurable. Default time for Timer.sub.--1 60 is 1 (one) second.Max Time 65 is also user configurable via FilmX.ini and is set to 30seconds for default. The system will not allow that time to be set lessthan 10 seconds. Once the Timer.sub.--1 60 goes off, two routines arecalled:

-   -   DcmBTreeParseInputDirectory    -   dcmBTreeMakePatientDataAvailable

The first routine parses any DICOM Part 10 file found in IncomingDirectory 52. If any new files 61 are available, they are transferred tothe Temp Directory (d:.backslash.Temp) 63. For each different patient, asubdirectory is created under the Temp Directory 63, and for each studyof this patient, a subdirectory is created under the patient directory.

Patient differentiation is based on Patient Identification whichconsists of the concatenation of information found in DICOM® datasets:PatientsID ‘_’ PatientsName, without any ‘ ’, any white character or anycharacter that may lead to an invalid Windows directory name, allcharacters are uppercase and enclosing blanks are removed. PatientDirectory name underneath Temp Directory 63 is the PatientIdentification described above.

Study identification is based on the StudyInstanceUID. Study Directoryname beneath the Patient Directory is the study identificationreferenced above.

Filenames are the original filenames found in Incoming Directory 52.This allows the system to override an image if it is sent twice.

An additional text file is created in each Patient Directory. This filehas a fixed name (timestamp.bsy) and contains the date and time of thelast image insertion in the Patient hierarchy. The following informationis also written in this file:

-   -   PatientsName    -   PatientsSex    -   PatientsBirthDate

An additional text file is created in each Study Directory. This filehas a fixed name (study.dsc) and contains the information extracted fromthe last image of the study inserted in the Study Directory. Thisinformation is as follows:

-   -   StudyDate    -   StudyTime    -   StudyID    -   StudyDescription    -   RefferringPhysiciansName    -   Accession Number.

Once DcmBTreeParseInputDirectory has returned, any new patients areadded to the Incoming Patient Queue and displayed on the screen as such.The combination of patient “[id]_[name]” is now the internal job nameused for tracking the job.

Then dcmBTreeMakePatientDataAvailable is called to check in TempDirectory 63 if any patient subdirectories have not been modified (someimages added) since MaxTime 65 seconds ago. The number of unmodifieddirectories since MaxTime 65 seconds is returned. If no new files 61have arrived for a patient, the timestamp file (timestamp.bsy) for thepatient will be renamed to a fixed filename (timestamp.rdy).

Once the function returns a positive number, we browse for PatientDirectories in the Temp Directory 63 containing “timestamp.rdy” file.The entire patient hierarchy is then moved to the Backup Directory 71(D:.backslash.Backup). The Job is then removed from the Incoming PatientQueue and added to the Pending Patient Queue and displayed as such. Ifinactive, Timer.sub.--2 70 is activated to start processing the pendingjob(s).

Timer.sub.--2 70 is responsible for moving jobs pending in Queue to beprocessed. Once it goes off, the system is checked for any patient inqueue 72, if none are present, Timer.sub.--2 70 is disabled in step 74.If there are pending jobs in Pending Patient Queue, the system ischecked for patient in process 73 (being recorded or printed). If thereis one, Timer.sub.--2 70 is disabled and it returns. If there are nopatients in process 73, the next job in Pending Patient Queue, isprocessed. The patient directory hierarchy in Backup Directory 71 ismoved to the Build Image Directory 75 (D:.backslash.Build Image) to getready to burn on CDR(s). The Build Image Directory 75 also contains aViewer Directory (“.backslash.Viewer) where the viewing softwareresides. There is also a FilmX Directory (“FilmX”) in the Build ImageDirectory 75 which contains the Patient information file (“Patient.txt”)and the Xlabel Directory (“.backslash.Xlabel”) where the CD printinglabel definitions and graphics files reside. Since DICOM® Exchangestandards only allow for eight character file names, the Patient, andStudy directories as well as image file names are converted to eightcharacter format in processing step 76. The Patient Directory name ischanged to “PT000000” for the first patient. In case of back up CD,Patient Directories are then sequentially named “PT000001” and so on.The Study Directory(ies) are named starting with “ST000000” and increasesequentially if there is more then one study for the patient. The imagefiles are then named starting with “IM000000” and so on. On the BuildImage Directory 75 there is also an “autorun” file which is recognizedby the Windows operating system and executed when a disc is inserted ina computer. The “autorun” file contains instructions to start the viewerin an “autoload” fashion causing it to immediately load and display thefirst Patient's first Study. Finally, according to DICOM® Exchangestandard, a “DICOMDIR” file is generated in step 76 in the Build ImageDirectory 75.

Once the Build Image Directory 75 is complete, it represents what shouldbe put on the final CDR with Build Image Directory 75 as the root of theCD. The computer program “Premaster.exe” is then called to create a CDimage of the contents of the Build Image Directory 75. This program ispart of the BuzzSaw® software package produced by ISO Media of Seattle,Wash. The result is a “[job].CDR” file which is the image of the finalCDR. It is located in the Spool Directory 77 (E:.backslash.Spool). A“[job]job” file containing the job control information for theautoloader control software (Buzzsaw®) is created in the Spool Directory77. The Job file specifies the name of the CDR file, the input file forthe print label fields, the number of CDRs to be made, the test flag,and other fields as required by the Buzzsaw® software. Once the CD imagefiles is generated in the Spool Directory 77, the Build Image Directory75 is then cleared of the patient directory and other created files.Once created, the job file is recognized by the Buzzsaw® software andprocessed.

Buzzsaw® instructs the autoloader 46 to pick up a new CDR 42, put it inthe CDR drive 40. Once there, Buzzsaw® will proceed to record thecontents of [job].CDR″ file on the CDR 42 in the drive 40. Inmulti-copy, multi-drive situations, Buzzsaw® will place new CDRs 42 inother drives 40 as well and record them simultaneously. Once therecording is finished, Buzzsaw® instructs the autoloader 46 to place therecorded CDR 42 in the Disc Printer 44. It will then execute theprinting software to print the label containing the input fields on theCDR.

The label printing software and printer driver are supplied by PrimeraTechnologies; Plymouth, Minn., a disc printer manufacturer. The labeldefinitions allow for input fields to be merged into the label via amerge file in Build Image Directory 75. The patient.txt file in theBuild Image directory 75 is that merge file.

Once printed, the CDR 42 is then placed in the output bin 45 by theautoloader 46. If there are multiple copies, the other CDRs 42 are thenprinted by the Disc Printer 44 and put on the output bin 45 as well bythe autoloader 46. Buzzsaw® then updates the status line at the bottomof the “[job].JOB” file contained in the Spool Directory 77 to indicatethe job is completed.

Timer.sub.--3 80 is responsible for checking the end of the job. OnceTimer.sub.--3 80 goes off, the system checks for job done 81. If so, thejob is moved from the Patients in Process to Patients completed anddisplay is updated in step 82 where Timer.sub.--3 80 is cleared, andTimer.sub.--2 70 is enabled. If Backup Enabled 83 is false, the patientdirectory is deleted from Backup Directory 71. Otherwise, it will bekept there to be used during the backup.

Timer.sub.--4 90 starts the backup process. It is programmed to go offat the configured time on the configured day(s) of the week. The programthen checks if there are any files to backup 91. This is also a checkfor the end of back up process. If finished (or nothing left to backup), a CDR 42 containing only the latest database files is generated 99.This is the backup disc for the database files. If there are files tobackup 91, in Select Patients step 92 enough patients are selected tofill a 650 MB CD (if there are enough) minus approximately 10 MB whichis used for storing system, label, and viewer files. A Backup CD uniqueserial number is also generated in Select Patients step 92. The patientdirectories are then moved from Backup Directory 71 to Build ImageDirectory 75. The same processing as for a patient CD, as described insteps 75-77 above then occur steps 93-95. Once a backup job is created,the software then goes through a timed delay 96 waiting for the job tofinish by checking for job complete 97. Once done, the database isupdated with the patient and study information of all the patients onthat CD and the CD unique serial number in Update Database step 98. Theprocess starts anew by checking to see if there are any more files toback up 91.

A simple query screen allows for querying the backup database usingpatient name, patient id, or study date thus allowing the user to findwhich CD a patient information is stored on.

The piracy protection device is attached to the parallel port. It isinitialized with the number of CDRs 42 purchased, and with patientand/or backup options. FilmX™ will create patient CDs if that option isenabled; back up CDs if that option is enabled; and ii both if bothoptions are present. Once a job has been successfully completed, thenumber of CDs created by it are deducted from the counter in the piracyprotection device. If at Zero, the system halts operation until a newcode for additional CDs has been entered. Patient and/or backup optionscan be enabled by operator entering a code provided by Soma Corporation.

Even though the invention has been described herein using CDRs, otherprintable recording medium, including but not limited to CDR, CDRW,DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVDRAM; can be used.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

1. A medical data recording system for use with a disc writer comprising: parsing software module operatively configured to: (i) receive medical data on a network, (ii) identify an end of the received medical data for a patient, (iii) parse patient identification information and study information from the received medical data, (iv) store the parsed patient identification information and parsed study information; job processing software module operatively configured to create a job containing medical data, medical data viewing software, and merge data having the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information; and autoloader control software module operatively configured to instruct the disc writer to: (i) record a disc based on the job such that the medical data viewing software is recorded on the disc along with the medical data within the job, and (ii) print the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information on the disc based on the merge data within the job.
 2. The medical data recording system of claim 1 wherein the received medical data comprises DICOM formatted information.
 3. The medical data recording system of claim 1 wherein the parsing software module comprises instructions for processing the received medical data to comply to DICOM standards.
 4. The medical data recording system of claim 1 wherein the parsing software module comprises instructions utilizing a time out period to identify the end of the received medical data for the patient.
 5. The medical data recording system of claim 1 wherein the parsing software module comprises instructions to store the parsed patient identification information and the parsed study information in a database.
 6. The medical data recording system of claim 4 wherein the job processing software module comprises instructions for: (i) retrieving the parsed patient identification information and the parsed study information stored in the database when creating the job, and (ii) storing job information in the database.
 7. The medical data recording system of claim 1 wherein the job processing software module comprises instructions for storing the job after the job has been created.
 8. The medical data recording system of claim 1 wherein the job processing software module comprises instructions for deleting the job after the autoloader control software module has completed instructing the disc writer to record the disc.
 9. The medical data recording system of claim 1 wherein the autoloader control software module comprises instructions to print the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information on the disc by printing a label for the disc containing the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information on the label.
 10. The medical data recording system of claim 1 wherein the autoloader control software module comprises instructions to print on the disc indicia identifying the producer of the disc.
 11. The medical data recording system of claim 1 further comprising a backup software module operatively configured to backup the medical data on a backup disc.
 12. A medical data recording system comprising: a computer operatively coupled to a medical imaging device through a communication network, the computer comprising: a parsing software module operatively configured to: (i) receive medical data from the medical imaging device through the network, (ii) identify an end of a particular patient's data within the received medical data, (iii) parse patient identification information and study information from the received medical data, (iv) store the parsed patient identification information and parsed study information; and a job processing software module operatively configured to create a job containing medical data, medical data viewing software, and merge data having the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information; and a disc writer operatively coupled to the computer to receive the job, comprising: a recorder operatively configured to record a disc based on the job such that the medical data viewing software is recorded on the disc along with the medical data within the job; and a printer operatively configured to print the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information on the disc based on the merge data within the job.
 13. The medical data recording system of claim 12 wherein the disc writer further comprises an autoloader operatively configured to place the disc in the recorder and move the disc to the printer in response to receiving a job from the computer.
 14. The medical data recording system of claim 13 wherein the autoloader comprises a mechanism to place the disc in an output tray after the disc recording and printing operations are complete.
 15. The medical data recording system of claim 12 wherein the recorder of the disc writer utilizes a CD as the disc.
 16. The medical data recording system of claim 12 wherein the recorder of the disc writer utilizes a format for the disc selected from a group consisting of: CDR, CDRW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, and DVDRAM.
 17. The medical data recording system of claim 12 wherein the printer of the disc writer comprises a label printing mechanism operatively configured to print the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information on a label on the disc based on the merge data within the job.
 18. The medical data recording system of claim 12 wherein the printer of the disc writer comprises a mechanism operatively configured to print on the disc indicia identifying the producer of the disc.
 19. The medical data recording system of claim 12 wherein the received medical data comprises DICOM formatted information.
 20. The medical data recording system of claim 12 wherein the parsing software module of the computer comprises instructions for processing the received medical data to comply to DICOM standards.
 21. The medical data recording system of claim 12 wherein the parsing software module of the computer comprises instructions utilizing a time out period to identify the end of the received medical data for the patient.
 22. The medical data recording system of claim 12 wherein the parsing software module of the computer comprises instructions to store the parsed patient identification information and the parsed study information in a database.
 23. The medical data recording system of claim 22 wherein the job processing software module of the computer comprises instructions for: (i) retrieving the parsed patient identification information and the parsed study information stored in the database when creating the job, and (ii) storing job information in the database.
 24. The medical data recording system of claim 12 wherein the job processing software module of the computer comprises instructions for storing the job after the job has been created.
 25. The medical data recording system of claim 12 wherein the job processing software module of the computer comprises instructions for deleting the job after the autoloader control software module has completed instructing the disc writer to record the disc.
 26. The medical data recording system of claim 12 wherein the computer further comprises a backup software module operatively configured to create a backup job including the medical data and send the backup job to the disc writer such that the backup job may be utilized by the disc writer to generate a backup disc.
 27. A non-transitory machine-readable medium providing instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising: receiving medical data information in DICOM format through a software module and extracting patient identification information and study information from the received medical data information, the medical data further comprising one or more files; storing the extracted patient identification information and extracted study information, the stored extracted study information and patient identification information coming from the one or more files; storing DICOM image information coming from the one or more files; noting the end of the received medical data information through the software module for each patient; creating a job containing medical data for a patient, and medical data image viewing software; and providing print information for an autoloader control software, the print information having selected fields obtained from an automatic scan of the stored extracted patient identification information and the stored extracted study information; submitting the job to the autoloader control software; recording said DICOM image information from the one or more files on a recording media; recording other files as defined by DICOM on the recording media; and automatically printing the selected fields of the automatic scan of the stored extracted patient identification information and the stored extracted study information on the recording media to label the recording media. 